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Author
Topic: Chantix Anyone (Read 124440 times)

OK, my problem with being able to smoke just 2 or 3 cigarettes a day is that I can't do that. I've tried and it doesn't work. I still tend to have that addictive nature and cigarettes are just like any other drug to me-do it to excess. So when I quit, it's gonna mean no more. Joel, I know, I should have called you (I wrote your # down off my caller ID). I'm sure I will in the future, even if it's just to chat.

Oh, I'm not beating myself up too bad. I know it can be done. I gained about 20 lbs when I quit before. My problem with exercising is this: both my kneecaps are broken. In my left kneecap, the last time I went to the ortho-doc, he told me the cartilage was completely collapsed. I can't bend my knees past a certain point, and the left one won't even straighten all the way out anymore. And the doc told me that the cartilage in my right knee was collapsing. He told me to avoid physical activites that involved jumping or alot of movement with the legs. Oh, and PRMike, yes, I love to ride bikes, but I don't know if we're talking about the same ones. I used to date a guy in a biker club (Harleys). And I bartended at a biker bar before. I've been on biker campouts etc. which I thought were great fun and even after I got into recovery I went to a biker campout that was attended by Harley riders who were all clean/sober. That was fun.

So, onward and upward.......

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Hi BettTacy yes I did mean Motorcycles I do wish I rode A Harley but for now I am riding a Suzuki 2003 650 LS Savage since I'm on a fixed income and florida has one of the lowest ssi payouts I am barely making ends meet so I was lucky enough to get this Bike which is fairly new and for the price I paid it was good...well I'm sorry to hear about your knee's and I hope that your not in any pain.ok bye for now much love always PRMike

Mike, in the early 90's a guy taught me how to actually "drive" a motorcycle on a yamaha (or something like it) 500. Then when the first person I knew in this area died of AIDS, he left me his Honda Goldwing. I didn't know how powerful those bikes were. So I remember I opened up the throttle and came really close to running into the back of a truck and had to use the emergency brake! Anyway, I sold the bike because of it being foreign made and my love for Harleys. I keep telling myself that someday I'll have my own Harley. Hope that day comes-

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

hi BettyTacy I can dig that and I too hope and pray that some day I'll get my Harley but in the mean time i'll keep riding my bike, I just want to ride it's like they say live to ride & ride to live ok bye for now always PRmike

Hi everyone well today is my 150th day which is also my 5 month of being a non-smoker and I just want to say that I feel great, NO URGES, NO REGRETS and NO LOOKING BACK just looking towards the future ...I hope that everyone else is doing just as well and may you have a great quit bye for now always PRMike

Hi BettyTacy I'm sorry to hear that your smoking again but I guess you have to do what you have to do and you will quit when the time is right or atleast I pray that you will... At least it's not drugs right ...

To RapidRod-- welcome to a new way of life and just give your self a break and do not push yourself take it easy and let the pills work and before you know it the smokes willl start to taste different and the Urges will not be there but it will take a little time ok just remember to stay strong as always PRMike

I am in amazement, I woke up and didn't have craving for a cigarette. Mornings are my worst hurdle to get over. If this keeps up like this I'll get it dicked this time. Maybe on some heavy duty nerve pills later, but they can't be as expensive as the cigarettes have gotten to be, 84.07 a week. Now I look at my dirty house and it's making me ill. Can't sit and smoke, so now I can get busy and clean it up.

Wow, Rod. That's a lot of smoking. Though I'm sure on some days, I smoke just as much. Cigarettes are supposed to up by $2/pack like in June, which would bring the price of a pack up to almost $7. I just can't afford that living on disability, as I'm sure you well understand.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

that's how I broke the habits with smoking. Every time I felt like I should be lighting up (not for the smoke; but the habit of having a cig) I found something around the house to clean or repair. After a week I was really tired; but the house was clean. That cleaning also helped clear the accumulated smoke smell out of the house, so me and house both got cleared of the smoke at the same time.

I've stopped taking the Chantix even though I didn't finish it all. Jan 31 was the last day of the 3 month period and most days of the last month I was only taking 1 a day. With all the other pills I take it was a hassle trying to work that one in too. So now I have a hundred or so pills that I will donate to a needy smoker, maybe someone at work. When I've smoked it's only been 1 or 2, except for New Year's Eve and a party on 1/20, where I smoked probably 8 or 10. But I've only bought one more pack since my last post, and Leatherman's right, not having them around is a big help. I am now very aware of the smell of smoke. i can't stand it on clothes, furniture, etc. but I love to smell it when it's in the air (when someone near is actually smoking.) I've put on 10 pounds since December but I also injured my foot and that has kept me from walking like I used to. The cravings are worst when I drink, and as a result I've cut way down on my drinking. I drove over 900 miles this past weekend and didn't give in to the urge. I also just signed the lease for my new flat and I was so happy to check "Non-Smoker" on the application!

I'm having a craving this very second but it will go away in a minute.

24 days without a cigarette. Now ask me if I miss smoking? Yeah.. I liked to smoke. Does it bother me. No not at all. I thought I would have trouble after smoking 25 years. I only took the Chantix for two weeks and no I didn't take it as it said to take it. I never smoked with it..

I was good up until day 105, then my life started going a little crazy (the sordid tale is here http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=19412), and in the last 30 days I've smoked 3 packs. While nothing like the two packs a day I was smoking nearly 4 months ago, I've felt guilty with each one. Tomorrow, I re-quit!

Mikie, Betty, Jerry (and me) the important thing is to quit again. (ahem....when you're good and ready, of course)

I have smoked only 4 packs (in two weeks) I'm quite tired of it. As Betty stated, there no such thing as only smoking 4 or 5 a day--it's just the nature of that beast to be doubling or tripling that amount in days to come. I purchased a new starter kit for chantix yesterday. Due to Ohioan legislative measures the taxes on cigs are going to hike the cost of a pack of smokes to $7.00 soon.

I only smoke outdoors and have since moving here in 2000--however--I have not smoked but little in the last 2 years. I now find the smell of nicotine gross. Gets on the fingertips too. It's gotta go. But I knew that when I started up again--it's was just a weak willed decision following a bad patch of days. (a familiar scenario, indeed!)Also, I noted my energy level slipping down a notch after 5 days of light smoking.

Not going to quit anytime soon here either. Too much is going on in my life to quit. I found out one thing when I quit for a month I gained up too 189lbs went to another size in my jeans and was not happy after that.

I was 12 yrs old when I started and now I am 53 and have never even tried to quit..Now that I have asmatha, and when I lay down to go to bed ..thats when the coughing starts..............

Today I saw my Dr and she said I couldnt take Chantix due to having hep C...Guess its really hard on the liver so she offered me nicotine patches....They dont work....so I guess I have to do this on my own..

I was so hoping to be able to get chantix because so many of my friends who used it,.are no longer smoking....Fuck the nicotine patch....and thats 60 dollars out of pocket for something that wont work..........oh well....thats life

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Live Love Laugh and dance like no ones watching.Laughter is the best medicine, so try to have a laugh everyday..Even if your not feeling your best, think about something that was funny at one time in your life and work with it.. )

Guess its really hard on the liver so she offered me nicotine patches....They dont work....so I guess I have to do this on my own..

I was so hoping to be able to get chantix because so many of my friends who used it,.are no longer smoking....Fuck the nicotine patch....and thats 60 dollars out of pocket for something that wont work..........oh well....thats life

If you think that being on a nicotine patch won't work for quitting smoking, try wearing one and chain smoking. Believe me, after a trip to the bathroom puking up black shit, you won't light up while wearing one.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Hi everyone it has been awhile since I posted anything but I just celebrated my 6 months of my quit and I wanted to share that with you guy's and Gal's,,, I'm sorry to hear that some of you are having problems and have not been able to quit but like some of you have said you will do it when your ready to... I will keep you in my prayers ok bye for now as always your friend PRMike

Hey Mike, good for you. Just keep telling us 'backsliders' how much better you're feeling and how much money you're saving and I'm sure that will be some motivation, at least for me. Congratulations! Luv,Betty

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

keep telling us 'backsliders' how much better you're feeling and how much money you're saving and I'm sure that will be some motivation, at least for me.

I'll tell you what, I'm so glad that I had quit for those 105 days or I'd be going crazy at the hospital with Jim. As it is now, I'm "sneaking" out every few hours and walking clear out to the car in the parking deck to cop a smoke (stupid Ohio laws! No one should have to smoke outside in a blizzard! ).

I'd like to try to quit again as soon as my current crisis is over cause I'm already seeing the hit to my wallet. (But I can't make any promises yet until things settle down at my house That might be a cop-out but at least I'm honest. ) Plus, even though I'm getting a buzz off of the cigs again , they just don't taste as good as they used to.

Today is the day I'm going to stop smoking... I think, I hope. My part D drug plan doesn't pay for Chantix , it will pay for Nickatrol ( misspelled) Its a nicotine nose spray, sounds just as addictive as ciggies. So I am going to go cold turkey.

I am new here. Love the thread. I read the whole thing. Anyway I am on Day 2 of Chantix. It has not been at all like I thought. I took the first .5 mg pill yesterday am. I had my first cig about an hour later and it didn't taste bad but it was like I was smoking an ultra light or you know when you break a cig and try to smoke it anyway? It was just like that all day long. I smoked the same amount but didn't feel anything from them but was left with an empty feeling. Is this normal? I wasn't expecting this but I guess it is ok. I don't have any nasuea but feel hungry most of the time. Is this something like withdrawal symptoms this early? I have never tried to quit before so am not sure what withdrawal is. When do you go through the withdrawal? I thought you had to take the drug for several weeks and then they would taste terrible and you just decide to quite. I haven't had many sides yet but I just started. Mostly just kinda loopy feeling. Sorry for so many ?'s. Anyway Thanks. Bye

I am new here. Love the thread. I read the whole thing. Anyway I am on Day 2 of Chantix. It has not been at all like I thought. I took the first .5 mg pill yesterday am. I had my first cig about an hour later and it didn't taste bad but it was like I was smoking an ultra light or you know when you break a cig and try to smoke it anyway? It was just like that all day long. I smoked the same amount but didn't feel anything from them but was left with an empty feeling. Is this normal? I wasn't expecting this but I guess it is ok. I don't have any nasuea but feel hungry most of the time. Is this something like withdrawal symptoms this early? I have never tried to quit before so am not sure what withdrawal is. When do you go through the withdrawal? I thought you had to take the drug for several weeks and then they would taste terrible and you just decide to quite. I haven't had many sides yet but I just started. Mostly just kinda loopy feeling. Sorry for so many ?'s. Anyway Thanks. Bye

Hi Buckster, yes it's normal to not 'get anything' off cigarettes when on Chantix. It blocks the nicotine receptors in the brain. So you don't get that good feeling from cigarettes. Of course it's normal to feel more hungry when you quit smoking. When I quit using Chantix, I was starving most of the time. The biggest side effect I had from Chantix was very vivid dreams. I would think that because Chantix blocks the receptors, it's possible to be having withdrawal symptoms already.

I myself started back on Chantix about 3 days ago. I'm sure I would get over this damn cold I've had for a week and 1/2 if I quit. Hopefully soon.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

I had to take a chantix pill last night I got the cravings bad for some unknown reason. Thirty minutes later I was fine and over the cravings. I eat hard tack candy to keep myself out of the frig. I don't know which is more expensive cigarettes or candy.

I made it 3 1/2 days without a cigarette cold turkey. I am going to visit a friend who smokes like a chimney this weekend , just the thought of it sent me to the store yesterday and Ive already smoked 11/2 packs before leaving my drive way.

My buddy Tim thinks his insurance will pay for chantix and fill a script for 3 months at a time, we are going to split it. I have overcome so much in life and it really bums me out that I let something so harmfull get the best of me...I will succeed.....Note to Bear 60. you were right.

Hi Buckster, yes it's normal to not 'get anything' off cigarettes when on Chantix. It blocks the nicotine receptors in the brain. So you don't get that good feeling from cigarettes. Of course it's normal to feel more hungry when you quit smoking. When I quit using Chantix, I was starving most of the time. The biggest side effect I had from Chantix was very vivid dreams. I would think that because Chantix blocks the receptors, it's possible to be having withdrawal symptoms already.

I myself started back on Chantix about 3 days ago. I'm sure I would get over this damn cold I've had for a week and 1/2 if I quit. Hopefully soon.

Thanks Bettytacy. Day 3. So far so good. Still smoking same amount but not enjoying them. Like smoking cotton. I guess that is a good thing. You do think that you want to just forget about quitting and continue to smoke but then you think that there are a million reasons to quit and no reasons really to continue. I have to keep reminding myself that. Also I am doing my quit alone without telling anyone. Didn't want someone saying "hey you are still smoking" especially if I found I couldn't quit. I wonder if this is a wise move? We will see huh? Anyway... thanks bye

Hi Betty Tacy I just want to say Hi and I was wondering how you are doing I know that it has been a while since I had been on here but I started to date a female and she would trip out when she would see that I had logged on this site, I no longer am seeing her so now I can feel free to check in weird huh ok I hope that you are well bye for now as always your friend PRMike

Well Mike, I'm still smoking. I can't take Chantix because of its psychological side effects. I've got a month's supply worth of patches, though, just waiting for me to quit again. And I will, someday.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Hi Everyone I hope and Pray that you all are well I just wanted to say Hi and let you know that yesterday was my 9 month aniversary of my quit...I have gone through some really hard stuff in the past few weeks and I almost gave in but then I thoguht to myself- If I pick up that smoke I'll be right back where I started so thank God I did not... ok bye for now as always your Friend PRMike

this thurs at my appt, i plan to ask my doc for another script for chantix. It worked really well for me the first time. I only took it for a month and I got thru 105 days before things went to hell in a handbasket and I started smoking again.

(Good for you Mikie for sticking with it going through the rough times. Nine months is excellent! )

I was going to get the script on my last appt; but as my partner was only days from passing away, I wasn't certain that I wanted to deal with the effects of nicotine withdrawal or any med side-effects at that time (the last thing I needed was drug-induced depression).

However, I couldn't afford the cigs when I had my partner's income coming in too; so I really can't afford this habit now on just my income - not when the bills are 2 months behind, and the car is sure to be repo-ed any day.

So I'm going to get the med again, think happy thoughts (or as happy as they can be a little over a month after losing my partner), and try to kick the habit for good this time.

Hi everyone I just wanted to check in with you all and i hope that you all are well

well I am on my 11 th month of being a non-smoker and I must say that it does feel good...I have been through some really heavy stuff in the past 2 months and I'm now staying at my sister's house,,, she is really cool for helping me but I really wish I was back at my brothers or that I could get my own place but here in Florida it is impossible to findand apartment if you only get SSI and an income of $637.oo per month,, the services here are Lousy for people with Hiv/Aids so I'm thinking of either going back to California or New York so if anyone can give me any numbers or Web-sites that can give me some info on any programs that can help me I would grately appicate it...ok thank you all and may you all have a great and smokefree day with much love and respect your Friend always PRMike

Oh I forgot to mention that in 7 Days I will be celebrating my 6 years of being Clean ( OFF DRUGS ) WoW what a Miracle,, I must admit that I do go every Monday night to a NA meeting and it does help me..thanks for listening as always your Friend PRMike

that's excellent Mike! I'm glad that you've been doing so well not smoking. Don't forget to celebrate when you hit that one year mark!!

my ohio medical card still didn't cover Chantix, so I was stuck trying to kick the habit with only 3 weeks worth of the med leftover from when Jim and I used it back this Fall. It helped some; but I just couldn't do it.

Still quite depressed about losing my partner, having a roommate that can't keep a job (he's only worked about 3 weeks since he moved in back in May), having the gas turned off because I couldn't pay all the bills left after my partner's death, with my partner's car sure to repossessed any day now, and soon to have the bank start foreclosure on Jim's house, I haven't been able to find a new home on my $503 a month from SSd. I know I still need to stop smoking (my main reason has always been about the $$$ rather than the health benefits), but I just don't seem to be able to quit amidst all this stress and worry (oh, and don't forget the grief and depression).